Frank Haith Introduced as New TU Men's Basketball Coach

New TU men's basketball coach Frank Haith addresses fans and reporters at a news conference Friday. University athletics director and Vice President Derrick Gragg and President Steadman Upham (right) also spoke.

Credit Matt Trotter / KWGS

The Golden Hurricane has its new men’s basketball coach.

The 2012 coach of the year, Frank Haith, comes to Tulsa after three seasons with Missouri. He says TU’s move to the American Athletic Conference was a big factor in his decision.

"UConn, in terms of winning a national championship, Memphis and Cincinnati, all great programs — I think they have a TV contract with ESPN," Haith said. "I think Tulsa has now made a commitment, obviously, in terms of the level, in terms of the league they're joining."

Missouri moved from the Big 12 to the SEC under Haith.

Haith went 76–28 at Missouri and is 205–129 overall in his head coaching career, which started in 2004. TU athletics director Derrick Gragg says the numbers speak for themselves.

"They really do, and being — even as an assistant coach and being at those institutions: Penn State, Wake Forest, Texas — he's been to the NCAA tournament numerous times, been to the Sweet 16, he's been to the Final Four," Gragg said.

Haith served a five-game suspension last year for violations while he was the head coach at Miami.